Could Avery and Tortorella co-exist together?
Not long ago, new Rangers coach said winger ‘doesn't belong in the league’
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Just a week ago, there were complaints that the New York Rangers were too vanilla. They had a classy, and well-spoken coach in Tom Renney and were led by everybody's All-American Chris Drury.
Things have changed in a hurry.
Firey John Tortorella was hired to replace the fired Renney this week, and an NHL source tells SportingNews.com that he expects Sean Avery to be placed on re-entry waivers by the Dallas Stars on Monday.
Since Avery is playing for the Rangers' AHL affiliate, a reunion in New York between the Rangers and Avery appears to be the natural progression. It would also mean the combination of two of hockey's biggest personalities: Tortorella and Avery.
In New York City.
When the NHL suspended Avery for his off-color remarks in Calgary, Tortorella ripped the player widely considered the most hated guy in hockey.
"Enough is enough," Tortorella said on Canada's all-sports outlet TSN, where he was an analyst. "He's embarrassed himself, he's embarrassed the (Dallas) organization, he's embarrassed the league and he's embarrassed his teammates, who have to look out for him. Send him home. He doesn't belong in the league."
Doesn't exactly sound like a guy who is too eager to plug Avery into the Rangers power play.
During a conference call with reporters this week, Rangers GM Glen Sather sounded optimistic that Avery and Tortorella could co-exist in New York.
"I think you always have to be cognizant of the fact that coaches have opinions of players," Sather said. "[Tortorella] doesn't have the history with Sean that we do. Over time you learn to love him."
If the Rangers do claim Avery, they will split the remainder of his four-year, $15.5 million salary with the Dallas Stars, who signed Avery this summer as their big free-agent addition.
Avery has been on his best behavior in the AHL. In his first six games with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Avery had one goal and one assist. He also had two penalty minutes.
His lack of time in the penalty box raises the question: Is a rehabbed, squeaky-clean Avery an effective Avery? Part of his value is driving opponents crazy and drawing penalties. In 57 games with the Rangers last season, Avery had 154 penalty minutes and the Rangers won a lot of those games.
He'll need to be that kind of player if and when he returns to the NHL next week. Especially if it's with the Rangers, the once-vanilla Rangers.
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